Rio Ferdinand has had his say on Manchester United’s chances of signing Victor Osimhen after the Nigeria star was previously linked with a move to the club
Matty Hewitt Football Writer
17:24, 16 Jan 2026
Manchester United were linked with a move for Victor Osimhen in the summer.(Image: )
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Victor Osimhen would 100 per cent sign for the Reds if they made the phonecall. The Nigerian superstar completed a £65m move to Galatasaray this summer and has scored a remarkable 47 goals in 41 appearances.
Osimhen has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in European football for the past few seasons, helping Napoli win the Serie A title before falling out of favour under Antonio Conte. The 27-year-old looked set for a move to Chelsea at one stage, with Saudi Arabian clubs also keen on his services.
However, those moves fell through and he was forced to move to Turkey with Galatasaray taking him on loan last season.
The likes of United, Arsenal and Chelsea were all linked with a move for the striker this summer, but ultimately, looked elsewhere.
It’s a decision that has baffled former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan who, on the latest episode of Rio Presents, who believes Man United will make a move to sign Osimhen.
“Victor Osimhen, he loves scoring goals, he plays with his heart, and gives everything. I’m surprised big clubs didn’t go for him in this transfer window,” Gyan said.
“But hopefully, I’m feeling Manchester United too, only if he wants to come because of their history and everything.”
Ferdinand agreed and said: “Osimhen will come to United, if United offer to take Osimhen, he would go, 100%.”
Man United-linked Victor Osimhen completed a permanent move to Galatasaray in the summer(Image: Getty Images)
United, Arsenal and Chelsea all bolstered their centre forward options in the summer, signing Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Liam Delap and Joao Pedro respectively.
However, they’ve all endured some struggles this season and former United midfielder Paul Scholes felt the Reds should have signed Osimhen over Sesko, while ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel wanted to see the Blues sign his fellow countryman.
Speaking to the Metro, Mikel said: “Everyone knows who I wanted to see come to the football club and who the fans wanted to see come to the football club.
“It is a shame he didn’t come to Chelsea, the club he supported as a kid growing up, but they have decided to go in a different direction [signing Delap] which is fine, I hope it works out for him at the club.
“But I would have loved to see someone come in to hit the ground running straight away, who knows how to play in big games, in big competitions who has been there and done it. But we have to support Delap and make sure it works out for him.”
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